Peugeot 2008 tyres

‘Compact Crossover’ is a rather undefined and elastic term in the car industry. Broadly speaking, it’s come to represent small cars with wellington boots on, higher than their hatchback counterparts. They may have ‘jacked up’ chunkier looks but in terms of off-road ability, they’re more about style than substance. They cross a bridge of sorts, having a higher driving position and more space than a hatchback but none of the compromises of a full-fledged off-roader. It’s a market sector characterised by the likes of the Nissan Juke and the Mini Countryman, which fall between the stools of large hatchback or small SUV.

Buyers have certainly warmed to these kinds of cars, meaning that Peugeot has launched the 2008 into an ultra-competitive marketplace. Eschewing fashion for function, this car does have a unique feature to differentiate itself. It’s effectively a two-wheel-drive 208 (on which it is based) with more pretensions to off-road ability than most thanks to ‘Grip Control’ technology. This is fitted to many – but not all – 2008 models and, combined with ‘four seasons’ tyres, means that the car can offer mobility to almost match a four-wheel-drive if needed. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, so the car will need to sell well in not only the UK, but you can see that this car will be one particularly suited to the British winter.

The four seasons tyres which work with this Grip Control are a relatively new invention. They are a good match for any car with claims to be an ‘any season’ and ‘any weather’ option. They do come with their compromises, though, with the Jack of all trades usually master of none. They don’t have the supreme dry-road adhesion of regular tyres in the summer. Additionally, since they don’t have the stiffness of a summer tyre, their stopping distances are not as good. However, their traction on mud, wet grass, gravel and snow is almost infinitely better – no wonder, then, that Peugeot launched this car to British press at, of all places, the Tamworth Snowdrome. Importantly, while winter tyres have to be removed for summer motoring, a four season tyre can be left on year-round, as its name suggests.

The standard four seasons tyre for the 2008 with Grip Control (incidentally, that’s two-thirds of all 2008 models sold so far in the UK) is the Goodyear Vector tyre. That’s noteworthy since Michelin, Peugeot’s long-term partner, has recently launched its own four season tyres, the Premier A/S and CrossClimate ranges. It’s a safe bet, therefore, that in the near future these ranges will become standard equipment for the 2008, just as they are for most other models in Peugeot’s range.

As things stand, though, it’s essential to replace a damaged or worn four seasons tyre with one of a similar type. For 2008 drivers, that’s going to mean the factory-fitted Goodyear Vector. Other choices are thin on the ground, essentially limited to the Michelins above or the all-season tyre in Pirelli’s Cinturato range. Both of these come at a similar price to the Goodyear equivalent and cost more than a regular tyre from either maker. Certainly budget tyres aren’t an option for these cars.

For those 2008 models which do not feature Grip Control, Michelin’s Energy Saver and Bridgestone’s Potenza ranges are the original equipment tyres fitted in Peugeot’s factories. These are also standard issue for the 208, on which the 2008 is based. Since this is such a relatively young car, it’s always best practice to stick with these factory-fitted types when you need to replace a worn or damaged tyre.

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